Ah, I do love Wimbledon – it brings back many memories – whiling away many summer, sunny evenings over the years watching so many interesting games – even in the earlier rounds.
Then the days of the ‘big four’, wow – we really have been spoiled over the years. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – all of them having blazed a trail across the Wimbledon turf.
Though, it appears there is a new heir to that crown and, for now at least, he appears to be a breakaway. Carlos Alcaraz is taking the world tennis stage by storm and he’s only just getting started.
Alcaraz Surely A Banker?
His form at Wimbledon is red hot and the Spaniard clearly seems to love it there. Currently the 3/1 favourite for the tournament, this is a great opportunity to lump on early. At the moment he is going strong in the French Open at Roland Garros, comfortably into the semi-final as he bids to win his second consecutive title in Paris.
If that should happen, his odds for Wimbledon are more than likely to plummet as he goes for a third consecutive crown in the British capital’s southwest.
He is likely to face interesting opposition from the stalwart Djokovic, though it will be interesting to see if he has fully recovered, having bowed out of the Australian Open semi-final after just one set. I’m split to be honest. Despite his age, when fully fit, Djokovic probably still shades it as being the best in the world both technically and tactically.
Currently, he is going strong at Roland Garros as he heads into his quarter-final with the highly-rated Alexander Zverev who lost to Jannick Sinner in the Australian Open final.
All of the above stand a great chance at Wimbledon but if Alcaraz comes through in France unscathed, this will give him great momentum for Wimbledon and all eyes are likely to be on him.
How About The Women’s Wimbledon?
It is equally intriguing in the womens edition of Wimbledon this year, with holder Elena Rybakina currently the 4/1 favourite, though there are certainly others who are likely to present a stiff challenge.
Australian Open champion, Madison Keys appears, for now at least, to be out of the running – her recent leg problems still causing her trouble, otherwise it could have been an even more fascinating field.
However, her Australian Open opponent for the final – Aryna Sabalenka could be the one who presents the biggest challenge to Rybakina, at 5/1 currently.
Meanwhile, a surprise contender could be Coco Gauff if she gets it right. Having been a breakthrough star at the age of 15 in 2019, she looks like she could be the next big thing in tennis and the next big British hope. Over the last six years she has matured mentally and tactically. Also, she could arrive in great form, having just reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
I like her odds of 8/1 and she could cause an upset to really mark her arrival, which would stake her place in the elite of women’s tennis.